The European fashion road trip

There are so many amazing cities in Europe and there are plenty with a very fashionable heritage. London, Paris and Milan – of course – as well as cities like Amsterdam, Monte-Carlo and Berlin. Here’s our guide to a road trip around the continent to take in some of the most spectacular sites.

The car

I think the only car suitable for this job would be a Gucci Fiat 500. It’s the perfect little car for zooming around cities and taking in the sights. The Gucci edition is a little more comfortable than the basic 500 but if you are planning to do a lot of shopping then perhaps this isn’t the car for you. The boot space isn’t all that generous but you’ve always got the back seats in case you do go overboard with the shopping.

If you want something with a bit more power, consider the Fiat 500’s big sister, the Abarth 500.

The route

The route you take is up to you but, as a seasoned road tripper, I’d recommend taking the path less travelled between cities. Highways can be fun but it’s the little back roads that lead you to the most exciting places. Spend some time with a map before your trip to work out the best route to take from city to city. You’ll also have to decide which places you’d like to visit, hopefully this guide will help you.

Paris

This is an amazing city and it’s home to all sorts of brands. You should start in the designer department store district of Boulevard Haussmann, here you’ll find a huge amount of designer stores along with gourmet dining and some amazing architecture.

If you fancy a more eclectic mix of shops then visit the Marais Quarter. This historic part of the city is full of little shops that sell all sort of beautiful items. Not only is there loads here for fashion lovers but there’s also art, antiques and furniture.

Paris isn’t just about the shopping, either. You can walk down streets like Champs-Élysées and see some of the most fashionable people in the world. It’s such an inspiration!

Milan

Of course, you have to shop in Milan’s fashion district. It’s modest compared to Paris and London but you’ll find the best quality designer fashion all in the Quadrilatero d’Oro. It’s an area of four streets that will excite any fashion lover.

Even if you’re not out to spend hundreds on an item of clothing, you can admire the amazing window displays. It might not be the most sprawling shopping district but that means it’s easy to get around and you don’t need to spend time moving between different districts.

Within short walking distance of this area there are two castles, a huge park, a number of museums and plenty of places to stay, eat and drink. Getting lost in Milan is easy but it’s a great way to discover the most beautiful places.

London

This beautiful city is somewhere I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a number of times. Start at one of the big department stores such as Selfridges or Harrods. From here you’ll be in easy reach of shopping districts such as Oxford street.

If you want independent boutiques and vintage stores check out areas such as Camden and Brick Lane. London has something for everyone and one of the joys is that it’s so easy to get around. The Tube system is simple to use but most places are also within walking distance of one another too.

Monte-Carlo

This is the capital of luxury and that means it’s a great place for fashion inspiration and shopping. The Metropolé Shopping Center is full of gorgeous little boutiques, it’s also a stunning place that’s all marble and period charm.

If you want high-end designer fashion then the Carré d’Or is the place to be. This is where you’ll find Dior, Hermès, Gucci, Prada and more!

Berlin

This city isn’t always associated with fashion but it’s a great place to be for the fashionista. Firstly, it’s peaceful and this gives you the opportunity to shop without having to wade through the crowds. For your high street shopping fix visit the Alexa shopping center where you’ll find brands such as H&M, Zara, Mango and so on.

If you want to do a bit of bargain hunting, visit the Hackischer Markt. This market is great to wander around. You might not be able to find something to wear in the front row of a fashion show but you’ll be able to pick up loads of cool items at the fleamarket.

Amsterdam

If you wander up and down the streets of Amsterdam, you’ll be able to find all sorts of little boutiques. I love this city and it has the usual high street stores as well as shopping centres full of designer shops too.

The real pleasure, though, is exploring. Take a boat along the canals, make friends in a cocktail bar or ride the tram into the heart of the city.